Given a choice whre would you rather raise a family, W Cary or Chapel Hill? (Raleigh: real estate, HOA)

[Miasdad]

Hi,

I think the title pretty much says it all. My wife and I are now in our 40s with a two year old. We are looking to relocate from NY. We have visited Chapel Hill twice, but have yet to visit Cary. We realize the schools in Chapel Hill are rated "slightly" better than Cary, but do you feel it's worth 2x the property tax rate and the higher price of real estate?

We are looking for a tightly knit community (HOA with amenities included), family oriented, low crime, good schools, close to shops and medical facilities and also nearby green space (parks,trails).

Thanks so much.

[lamishra]

Honestly, I think you can find exactly what you described in either place. Is it possible for you to come visit Cary before making a decision? Some people just like the "vibe" in one town over the other.

[seattlenextyear]

If you define a "tightly knit community" as "a HOA with amenities", then Cary is for you.

[geoff2v]

Originally Posted by Miasdad

Hi,

I think the title pretty much says it all. My wife and I are now in our 40s with a two year old. We are looking to relocate from NY. We have visited Chapel Hill twice, but have yet to visit Cary. We realize the schools in Chapel Hill are rated "slightly" better than Cary, but do you feel it's worth 2x the property tax rate and the higher price of real estate?

We are looking for a tightly knit community (HOA with amenities included), family oriented, low crime, good schools, close to shops and medical facilities and also nearby green space (parks,trails).

Thanks so much.

I moved to Chapel Hill largely because of proximity to my wife's work, reputation of school system, some measure of walkability, and the existence of a real "town," not a bunch of scattered strip malls. The green space is pleasant, though it's hard to get from one green space to another without a car. (At least not with my seven-year-old; don't really want to go biking with him on 15-501.) We live in an HOA community, largely because it has sidewalks and many of the places in Chapel Hill don't, but I don't care much about the HOA, which doesn't provide amenities of its own. It's been nice, so far. We didn't look at Cary because the commute would have been unpleasant.

As for schools, it's nice to have a smaller school system than Wake County's; it's already much larger than the school system where we came from, and it's continuing to grow, but it's small enough that one can get a grasp of everything that's going on in the district. One still could drive to every school in the district in a single day, which means nothing in and of itself but indicates a system that I think is probably a bit easier to manage from an administrative perspective.

As for family oriented, there are lots of kids around town. I'm not sure what family oriented really means beyond that. I'm the kind of person who finds New York City family oriented, so I'm probably not the best person to answer that question.

[MAtoNC!]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

If you define a "tightly knit community" as "a HOA with amenities", then Cary is for you.

What Lamishra said Both places could work for you. There are plenty of HOAs with amenities in Chapel Hill also. You can google Meadowmont and Southern Village in Chapel Hill to see what they offer. Because Chapel Hill is a college town it does have a different vibe. Only you can decide if they higher cost is worth it to you.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by Miasdad

Hi,

I think the title pretty much says it all. My wife and I are now in our 40s with a two year old. We are looking to relocate from NY. We have visited Chapel Hill twice, but have yet to visit Cary. We realize the schools in Chapel Hill are rated "slightly" better than Cary, but do you feel it's worth 2x the property tax rate and the higher price of real estate?

We are looking for a tightly knit community (HOA with amenities included), family oriented, low crime, good schools, close to shops and medical facilities and also nearby green space (parks,trails).

Thanks so much.

Given the choice (and if I ever have kids) I would pick the place that was closest to my job so I could spend more time with my kids and wife and less time behind the steering wheel of my car. Both places are very nice. Good luck with your search.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

Given the choice (and if I ever have kids) I would pick the place that was closest to my job so I could spend more time with my kids and wife and less time behind the steering wheel of my car. Both places are very nice. Good luck with your search.

He shoots.... and SCORES.

Both options are great, Chapel Hill or Cary, and the decision will be a matter of personal taste.

[Gatornation]

Personally I'd move to CH based on the more liberal/progressive culture that is there. CH also has less growth and is less planned out and cookie cutter.

[Yarc Ecstasy]

Originally Posted by Miasdad

Hi,

I think the title pretty much says it all. My wife and I are now in our 40s with a two year old. We are looking to relocate from NY. We have visited Chapel Hill twice, but have yet to visit Cary. We realize the schools in Chapel Hill are rated "slightly" better than Cary, but do you feel it's worth 2x the property tax rate and the higher price of real estate?

We are looking for a tightly knit community (HOA with amenities included), family oriented, low crime, good schools, close to shops and medical facilities and also nearby green space (parks,trails).

Thanks so much.

If you have a quarter handy, you can flip it. Heads Cary, tails Chapel Hill. I think much of the decision will come down to where you work. The commute to work could easily become the deciding factor. With what you have stated you want and your concern about pricing, Cary may have an edge now, but that will be wiped away if you end up working closer to Chapel Hill. If you work closer to Cary, then it may be wise to look there. You have two excellent choices, so that is always nice.

[sls76]

I'm not certain that the elementary schools in CH are better than the best elementary schools in West Cary (check ncreportcard.com or greatschools.net and look at Highcroft Elementary, Green Hope Elementary and Davis Drive Elementary, for example). I'm not as familiar with the middle and high school situation. Obviously you would spare yourself the reassignment mess that Wake County subjects families to because of growth and the county's desire to diversify schools based on socio-economic status.
We lived in Cary for two years and I will say that we found it to be very safe and extremely family oriented and the Town of Cary parks are fantastic. Definitely take a look at Cary. Chapel Hill is a very socially liberal town which may or may not be your cup of tea or you may not care. My guess is after visiting the two it will be obvious which area has the feel you are looking for.